The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-01-26

There was an aged traveller seated In the
would mistake his eminent characteristic,
and, although his Immaculate hair bespeaks
the senile year, you would hardly think
this is the Washington philanthrophist, w. w.
Corcoran, eighty eight years of age. He is
ripe and ready to fall. Yet she, in the prime OF
life, she whom soft deceit had promised many
years, lay in the adjoining room pale as the
white dove that spreads its wings above her,
her voice silent, her heart throbless. Near
by stood Senator German, next the soldierly
and solid form of Senator Hawley, in whose
mind memory was doubtless busy with pain
full "reminiscences of one short year since,
when he met with a kindred bereavement
Next was the tall form of Senator Cockrell,
mute and motionless as marble statue, and
beside him the lesser Evarts, whose face
wore the deep lines of thought and the sad
ness OF grief. In the background lowered
the Titanic form OF Senator Gray, above
whose broad shoulders and heavy frame is
poissd massive and intellectual head. The
impressive and dead silence was hardly
broken by the suppressed breathing of the
inmates of the room. Such an audience
made memory creative and drew nearer the
pulsatiDg hearts in closer sympathy with the
bereaved family.
Almost exactly / 80 o'clock the folding
doors of the parlor swung back on the last
unbToken family gathering. The mother
was there in the center of the group, but her
bright smile was gone, her voice was hushed,
the sTarkling eyes closed, the warm blood
CONCEALED, and the pure, fresh, beautiful
floral tributes spoke hope to the heart as If
to say: "She is not dead, but sleeping" On
the left, at the head OF the casket, sat the
inconsolable husband, man who
is dear to his State and the nation,
and as his great big generous
heart has quivered under this terrible af-
sa&so II, # b0r1ff fl.sa
land have responded with gentle and sooth-
ing words of sincere sympathy. Near to him
sat his daughter, Miss Halle. Only woman,
only a sister, only bereaved daughter, can
feel as she feels, and the silence that broods
over the scene seems more respectful aud
fitting. Charles and James sit upon the same
side of the bier, Reese on the opposite side,
with John Paul Jones, q nephew of Mrs.
Voorhees,, and their grief was deep, vOiceless
and undenlonstrative. Grouped around the
family were relatives and intimate friends.
At the head of the casket was an elaborate
floral design. From a base made CT large
white carnations reared a broken shaft made
of white rosebuds sUrmounted by a spotlesS
white dove, spreading its wings ascendant,
as if emblematic OF the spirits empyrean
fight, while another blemishleSs dove was
descending at the side, seeming to be bring
ing message back to the family. ''In my
Fathers house are many mansions. go to
u. n
shaft hung an anchor Of blue violets, be-
speaking hope and fidelity.
In the midst of the group stood DR..
Leonard, of st. Jehn;s Protestant Episcopal
Church, clad in his robes of the spouse Of
Christ. The silence now is broken as he
reads the burial rites. The services were
simple and brief. During the solemn into
nations of his voice the air seemed burdened
with sympathy and sorrow. Every slightest
movement was watched until the precious
casket, with its sacred ashes, was carried out
In the tender hands of the three sons and
nephew, followed soon by the husband and
daughter. Shortly the cortege moves slowly
and sadly under q bright sky with q
balmy, gentle breeze, so fitting to life, so iu-
appropriate to the CHASTITY rites of sepulture.
as it threads its way eastward on | street
one of the startling contrasts of life
occurs, although hidden from the mourners.
brass band with its metallic clangor, with
flags emblematic of pomp and victory, fol-
lowed by q society decked out in gaudy
regalias. Many carriages followed the
mourners, and hundreds of citizens walked
on foot to the Z. and o. depot, where at
$3.50 p. m, the Senator and mourning family
departed.
As the words fash across the States, the
train rushes laundering on with its mourn
ers-iust as society dashes on amid the
sOrTOw-wails and woes of afflicted humanity.
To-day Washington stops to drop tear, to-
morrow receptions begin. The gaudy, dsz-
cling kirmes goes on, for out of the ashes oil
sorrow grow the brilliant flowers of human
hope and Joy.
The pall-bearers were Senator Mcdonald.
Colonel Bright, George B. Williams, Judge
S. johnson, Judge Carleton, Colonel Smith
Myer and Admirals Qaeen and Crosby.